Chapter 4 » 4.19

Area meetings

Relationship to other meetings for church affairs

In considering concerns which their members may bring before them, area meetings should exercise care to ensure that their own consideration is adequate and that in forwarding the matter to another meeting they are truly recognising a leading that the subject be considered further. Area meetings should also consider what action they themselves could take before forwarding the concern to another meeting. Area meetings must beware of evading their own responsibility for reaching a united judgment. This responsibility may involve consideration at more than one session of the area meeting. It is essential that before forwarding a concern the area meeting should consult at an early stage with the relevant standing committee or department (see 8.08; 8.118.13) in order to find out what facts and experience can be offered to its consideration of a concern. (See 13.0913.18.)

← 4.18 4.20 →